Six Phases
What is the first phase?
Interphase
Interphase
- Chromosomes are copied
- Chromosomes appear as threadlike coils (chromotin), at the start, but each chromosome and its copy (sister chromosome) change to sister chromatids at the end of this phase
Threadlike coils - Chromosomes
Chromatin
What is the second phase?
Prophase
Prophase
- Mitosis begins
- Centrioles (or poles) appear and begin to move to opposite ends of cell
- Spindle fibers form between the poles
Copy of a chromosome
Sister chromosome
Third Phase
Metaphase
Metaphase
- Chromatids or pairs of chromosomes attach to the spindle fibers
Cell division
4th phase
Anaphase
- Chromatids (or pairs of chromosomes) separate and begin to move to opposite ends of the cell
Pairs of chromosomes
Chromatin
5th phase and 6th phase
Telophase and cytokenesis
Telophase and Cytokinesis
Telophase
- Two new nuclei form
- Chromosomes appear as chromatin (threads rather than rods
- Mitosis ends
Cytokinesis
- Cell membrane moves inward to create two daughter cells - each with its own nucleus with identical chromosomes
Poles